Carry cord handle



April 10, 1956 E. T. BODARD CARRY CORD HANDLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 21, 1952 lNVENTOR EU GENE THOMAS BODARD av 1 f April 16, 1956 E. T. BODARD CARRY com: HANDLE Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 21, 1952 0 F R a M 0 In R m B I, w w E m C M m .w T

E ,1. m 1 w April 10, 1956 E. T. BODARD CARRY CORD HANDLE Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 21, 1952 EUGENE THOMS BODARD United States Patent M CARRY CORD HANDLE Eugene T. Bodard, Nelson, British Columbia, Canada Application October 21, 1952, Serial No. 316,035

12 Claims. (Cl. 229-52) This invention relates to improvements in carry cartons and blanks therefor.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a carrying handle for carton forms of cardboard and the like.

Another object is the provision of a handle arrangement for cartons which does not increase the ordinary size thereof.

A further object is the provision of a handle arrangement for cartons which is positioned within the material forming the carton, and which does not interfere with the filling and sealing of the latter.

Yet another object is the provision of a carry carton having a handle arrangement normally invisible, but which is always readily available and easy to get at without the necessity of unsealing or opening the carton, and by means of which the latter may be carried without exposing the contents thereof.

A still further object is the provision of a carry cord handle for cartons which actually supports them from the bottom and braces the sides thereof when they are being carried.

Yet another object is the provision of a handle arrangement for cartons which may be easily applied to the blank from which the latter are made and which does not interfere with the. folding of the blank in the usual way.

The carton constructed in accordance with. this invention is formed of a plurality of superimposed layers of material, such as cardboard or the like. There may be two or more or" these layers. In the preferred form, the carton is formed of double-faced corrugated cardboard consisting of two fiat outer layers and an intermediate corrugated layer. The handle for this carton is in the form of a cord located between the outer layers of the carton material. This cord preferably extends along the bottom of the carton, up the side thereof, and across its top to a point substantially midway between the opposite sides of the latter. The cord is formed with a loop at the top of the carton normally between the cardboard layers. There may be two such cords at opposite sides of the carton. When it is desired to carry the carton by means of the loops, the latter are pulled out of the space between the cardboard layers. It is helpful to perforate or otherwise weaken the outer layer cardboard near the cord to make it easier to pull the loop into the carrying position.

Examples of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a closed carton showing the carry cord in dotted lines in its normal position,

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure l with a carry cord or handle in the carrying position,

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic vertical cross section through the carton showing the cord in the material thereof,

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section through a wall of the carton showing the cord therein,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view of the bottom of the carton with part thereof broken away,

Figure 6 is a reduced layout of the blank from which the carton of Figures 1 and 2 is made,

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a carton with only one handle,

Figure 8 shows the carton of Figure 7 in the carrying position,

v 2,741,420 Fat-elated Apr. 1Q, 1956 Figure 9 is a perspective view of another alternative form of carton, and

Figure 10 is a reduced layout of the blank for the carton of Figure 9.

Referring to the drawings, 10 is a carton constructed in the usual manner from any suitable material. This carton is formed with opposite sides 11 and 12, ends 13 and 14, bottom flaps 16 and 17, and top flaps 18 and 19. As previously stated, the carton may be formed of any suitable material, such as cardboard and the like, but the material must have at least two layers. The illustrated carton is formed of double-faced corrugated cardboard having outer layers 24 and 25 formed of flat cardboard or paper, and an intermediate corrugated layer 26, see Figure 4.

The handle for this carton is in the form of two cords 3%), each located between the outer layers 24 and 25 of the carton material. As these layers are spaced apart by the intermediate corrugated layer 26, the cords do not distort the cardboard in any way. There is a cord handle at each side of the carton, but as these are identical, one only will now be described in detail.

One end of the cord 30 extends across the bottom flap 16 at 33, up the side 11 at 34, across the top flap 18 at 35 and includes a loop 36 in said top flap. From theloop, the cord extends back across the top flap at 40, down the side 11 at 41, and back across the bottom flap at 42. In other words, the loop of the cord is formed by two substantially parallel portions 35 and 40 connected at adjacent ends by a transverse portion indicated by the numeral 36. The free ends of the cord. are secured to the bottom flap in any suitable manner, such as by means of staples 44 and 45 adjacent the inner edge of the flap. Actually, the cord is in the form of a large U with the free ends thereof secured to the carton material, and the portion of the cord remote from said ends forms the loop 36. This loop may extend straight across the top flap etween the portions 35 and 40 of the cord, but it is preferable to have more cord than is necessary to extend between these two portions in order to provide a relatively large loop. in the latter case, the excess cord is tucked in between the outer layers, as indicated at 46 in Figure l. The cord loop is preferably located adjacent the free edge 47 of the top flap.

As the loop of the portions 35 and 40 of the cord is pulled out of the cardboard material when the carton is being carried, it is desirable to provide perforations or otherwise weakened lines 48 and 49 in the outer layer 24 across the top flap of the carton. If desired, another perforated or otherwise weakened line 51 may be formed in said outer layer adjacent the inner edge of the top fiap and extending between the corrugations 48 and 49. This forms a flap 52 in the outer layer of material which may be torn oif to expose a portion of the loop 36. This fiap may be any desired shape.

Figure 1 shows the sealed carton 10 as it would normally appear during storage and shipment. The handle cords 3%? are positioned within the layers of the ma terial forming the carton so that they cannot be seen at this time. Cartons of this nature are usually used for carrying wares sold to consumers, and the handle arrangement is provided to enable the latter to carry the cartons conveniently and easily. When it is desired to carry this carton by means of the handle cords, the loops 36 are withdrawn from between the cardboard layers. It the flaps 52 are provided in the outer layer, these may be torn 05. along the perforations 51 to expose the loops. These loops may be pulled outwardly from the carton top to cause the outer layer to separate along the perforations 4S and 49. The loops may now be placed together, as shown in Figure 2, at which time they may be grasped by one hand. As the carry cords are secured to the botthe layers of material at this time.

to carry the carton on'edge. may be properly balanced when carried, additional pertom of the carton, the latter is supported from said bottom. ln addition to this, the portions of the cords extending through the side walls of the carton brace the latter against lateral expansion when the carton is being carried. By referring to Figure 2, it will be noted that the handle is available while the carton is still closed and sealed.

' Figure 6 is a flat layout of a blank forming the carton. This blank is scored and cutin the usual manner to form 4 understood that this handle arrangement may be applied to other types as well.

What i claim as' my invention is: a

l. A carry carton formed of multi-layer material comprising, in combination, aperipheral side wall, a pair of a bottom flaps integrally connected to the lower edge of bottom and top flaps 16 and 18, and top and bottom flaps 17 and 19 along opposite sides thereof. When the blank 'is flat like this,'it is a 'simple matter to insert the cords between the layers of material forming the blank, and to insert the staples '44 and 45 in the bottom flaps 16 and 17 to connect the cord ends thereto. The excess portions 46 of the loops 36 are easily tucked in between It will readily be seen thatthe cords cannot interfere with the folding of the blank into a carton. Furthermore, since the cords are completely within the cardboard material, they cannot interfere with the closing and sealing of the carton.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate'a carton having only one handle cord 30a. This arrangement makes it possible In order that the carton forated or otherwise weakened lines 58 and 59 may be formed in the outer layer of material of the carton side 11a in linewith and joining the perforations 48a and 49a in the top flap. The cord is secured to the side in' any suitable manner, such as by staples 6i) and 61, which are located substantially midway between the opposite edges of said side.

This handle is normallyinvisible, but when it is desired to carry the carton, the loop 36a is drawn out of the material forming the carton in the manner described above. It is pulled upwardly until the portions a and a of the cord are exposed as far back as the staples 60 and 61.' The carton will hang, as clearly shown in Figure 8, when it .is carried. It will be noted that it is-not necessary to have an excess of cord 46 in this form of the invention.

l Figure 9 shows a carton 65 having a single handle cord 30b which extends along the periphery wall of the carton cord are secured to the blank material in any suitable mannen'such as by means of staples 69 and 70. The loop 36b of this cord is located adjacent an end 74 of the blank, and the two arms of the U are secured to the material at a point spaced from the loop in any suitable manner, such as by means of staples 76 and 77. The

outer layer of the material is formed with perforated or otherwise'weakened lines 80 and 81 extending from the end 74 to the staples 76 and 77. If desired, another perforated or otherwise weakened line 84 may be formed in the outer layer spaced from the end 74 to form a flap 85 which may be torn off to expose a portion of the loop 36b.

Referring again to Figure 9, the carry cord is normally invisible. When it is desired to carry the carton, the flap 85 may be torn off to expose the carry loop 3617 which will be drawn outwardly from the carton. This pulls portions of the cord through the perforations 80 and 81 back to the staples 76 and 77 which are located substantially midway between the ends of a carton side. This enables the carton to balance properly when it is carried by means of the cord loop.

While one type of carton has been shown, it is to be the wall, a pair of top flaps integrally connected to the upper edge of said wall, the flaps of each pair extending towards each other, a handle consisting of a cord in the form of a U having two substantially parallel side portions connected at adjacent ends by a transverse portion, said cord being entirely between the layers of material with the transverse portion and parts of the side portions thereof forming a loop within one of the top flaps and the remainder of the side portions thereof extending down the side wall to the bottom flap and into the latter, and means anchoring the two side portions of the cord to the carton material, said cord acting as carrying means forthe carton when the loop thereof is drawn out through the material forming the top flap and with at least some of the remainder of its side portions remaining in the side wall and the bottom of the carton. I V

2. A carry carton formed of multi-layer material comprising, in combination, a peripheral side wall, a pair of bottom flaps integrally connected to the lower edge of the wall, a pair of top flaps integrally connectedto the upper edge of said wall, the flaps of each pair extending towards each other, a handle consisting of a cord in the form of a U having two substantially parallel side portions connected at adjacent ends by a transverse portion, said cord being entirely between the layers of material with the transverse portion and parts of the side portions thereof forming a loop within one of the top flaps at its free edges and the remainder of the side portions thereof extending down the side wall to the bottom flap and into the latter, and means anchoring the two ends of the cord to the bottom flap, said cord acting as carrying means for the carton when the loop thereof is drawn out through the material forming the top flap and with at least somerof the remainder of its side portions remaining in the side wall and the bottom of the carton.

3. A carry carton as claimed in claim 2 in which there is an excess of cord at the loop thereof, said excess being positioned between the layers of material within said loop. 7

4. A carry carton formed of multi-layer material comprising, in combination, a peripheral side wall, a pair of bottom flaps integrally connected to the lower edge of the wall, a pair of top flaps integrally connected to the upper edge of said wall, the flaps of each pair extending towards each other, a handle consisting of a cord in the form of a U having two substantially parallel side portions connected at adjacent ends by a transverse portion, said cord being entirely between the layers of material with the transverse portion and parts of the side portions thereof forming a loopwithin one of the top flaps and the remainder of the side portions thereof extending down the side wall to the bottom flap and into the latter, means anchoring the two side portions of the cord to the side wall substantially midway between the opposite edges of the latter, and means anchoring the two ends of the cord to the bottom flap, said cord acting as carrying means for the carton when the loop thereof is drawn out through the material forming the top flap and the side wall down to the anchoring means therein and with the remainder of nected at adjacent ends by a transverse portion, said cord being entirely between the layers of material with the transverse portion and parts of the side portions thereof forming a loop within one of the top flaps at its free edge and the remainder of the side portions thereof extending down the side wall to the bottom fiap and into the latter, and means anchoring the two ends of the cord to the bottom flap, weakened lines in the outer layer of material of the top flap extending from its free edge along the two side portions of the cord to at least the side wall, and a flap in said outer layer defined by said weakened lines and another weakened line extending between the first-'nentioned weakened lines and spaced inwardly a little from the free edge of the top flap, said cord acting as carrying means for the carton when the flap in the top flap is raised and the loop of the cord is drawn out through the material forming the top flap and with at least some of the remainder of its side portions remaining in the side wall and the bottom of the carton.

6. A carry carton formed of multi-layer material comprising in combination, a peripheral side wall, a pair of bottom flaps integrally connected to the lower edge of the wall, a pair of top flaps integrally connected to the upper edge of said wall, the flaps of each pair extending towards each other, two handle for the carton; each handle consisting of a cord in the form of a U having two substantially parallel side portions connected at adjacent ends by a transverse portion, said cord being entirely between the layers of material with the transverse portion and parts of the side portions thereof forming a loop within one of the top flaps and the remainder of the side portions thereof extending down the side wall to the bottom flap and into the latter; said handles being on opposite sides of the carton with the loop portions thereof in the carton top flaps extending towards each other, and means anchoring the two side portions of the cord of each handle to the carton material, said cords acting as carrying means for the carton when the loops thereof are drawn out through the material forming their respective top flaps and with at least some of the remainder of their side portions remaining in the opposite side walls and the bottom of the carton.

7. A carry carton formed of multi-layer material comprising in combination, a peripheral side wall, a pair of bottom flaps integrally connected to the lower edge of the wall, a pair of top flaps integrally connected to the upper edge of said'wall, the flaps of each pair extending towards each other, two handles for the carton; each handle consisting of a cord in the form of a U having two substantially parallel side portions connected at adjacent ends by a transverse portion, said cord being entirely between the layers of material with the transverse portion and parts of the side portions thereof forming a loop within one of the top flaps at its free edge and the remainder of the side portions thereof extending down the side wall to the bot tom flap and into the latter; said handles being on opposite sides of the carton with the loop portions thereof opposite each other in their respective flaps at the free edges of the latter, and means anchoring the two ends of the cord of each handle to their bottom flap, said cords acting as carrying means for the carton when the loops thereof are drawn out through the material forming their respective top flaps and with at least some of the remainder of their side portions remaining in the opposite side walls and the bottom of the carton.

8. A carry carton as claimed in claim 7 in which there is an excess of cord at each handle loop, said excess being positioned within its loop between the layers of material forming the top flap of the latter.

9. A carry carton formed of multi-layer material comprising, in combination, a peripheral side wall, a pair of bottom flaps integrally connected to the lower edge of the wall, a pair of top flaps integrally connected to the upper edge of said wall, the flaps of each pair extending towards each other, two handles for the carton; each handle consisting of a cord in the form of a U having two substantially parallel side portions connected at adjacent ends by a transverse portion, said cord being entirely between the layers of material with the transverse portion and parts of the side portions thereof forming a loop Within one of the top flaps and the remainder of the side portions thereof extending down the side wall to the bottom flap and into the latter; said handles being on opposite sides of the carton with the loop portions thereof in the carton top flaps extending towards each other, means anchoring the two ends of the cord of each handle to their bottom flap, weakened lines in the outer layer of material of each top flap extending from its free edge along the two side portions of the cord to at least the side wall, and a flap in each of said outer layers defined by said weakened lines and another weakened line extending between the first-mentioned weakened lines and spaced inwardly a little from the free edge of the top flap, said cords acting as carrying means for the carton when the loops thereof are drawn out through the material forming their respective top flaps and with at least some of the remainder of their side portions remaining in the opposite side walls and the bottom of the carton.

10. A blank for carry cartons formed of a rectangular piece of multi-layer material, said blank having a pair of spaced crease lines extending longitudinally thereof between its side edges defining a side Wall, a plurality of spaced crease lines extending transversely of the blank between the longitudinal crease lines, and cuts extending outwardly from the longitudinal crease lines to the blank edges in line with the transverse crease lines to define flaps along said edges; a cord extending between the layers substantially in the form of a U having a transverse portion near one of the blank edges extending along said edge and two spaced substantially parallel side portions extending inwardly from the blank edge, and means for securing the free ends of the cord to the adjacent layers, the transverse portion and parts of the side portions of the cord near the blank edge forming a carrying loop when drawn out through the wall.

11. A blank as claimed in claim 10 in which there is an excess of cord at the carrying loop, said excess being positioned within its loop between the layers of material.

12. A blank for carry cartons formed of a rectangular piece of multi-layer material, said blank having a pair of spaced crease lines extending longitudinally thereof between its side edges defining a side wall, a plurality of spaced crease lines extending transversely of the blank between the longitudinal crease lines, and cuts extending outwardly from the longitudinal crease lines to the blank edges in line with the transverse crease lines to define flaps along said edges; two spaced cords extending between the layers, each cord being substantially in the form of a U having a transverse portion near one of the blank edges extending along said edge and two spaced substantially parallel side portions extending inwardly from the blank edge, the transverse portions of both cords being near the same blank edge, and means for securing the free ends of each cord to the adjacent layers, the transverse portion and parts of the side portions of each cord near the blank edge forming a carrying loop when drawn out through the material.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,724,224 Schroeder Aug. 13, 1929 1,767,274 Broderick June 24, 1930 2,148,480 Larsh Feb. 28, 1939 2,613,847 Lacher Oct. 14, 1952 2,634,901 Berglund Apr. 14, 1953 2,654,964 Stoll Oct. 13, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 57,667 Switzerland Apr. 8, 1911 816,075 Germany Oct. 8, 1951 

